Barnstable County Commissioners Approve Railroad Crossings to Improve Safety and Maintain Canal Access During Sagamore Bridge Replacement
November 5, 2026 (Barnstable, MA) — The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday evening to determine that public necessity and convenience require two new railroad crossings associated with the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project. The decision followed a public hearing in Bourne, where residents, local officials, and regional transportation representatives expressed strong support for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety and maintaining access to the Cape Cod Canal during construction.
The public hearing, held November 4 at the Bourne Veteran’s Memorial Community Center, was convened at the request of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 160, Section 104. The Commissioners’ determination addresses two proposed at-grade public shared-use path railroad crossings: the Mid-Cape Connector Crossing and the Keith Field Recreation Area Crossing.
Safer Crossings and Continued Canal Access
Both crossings are intended to provide safer, designated connections between Sandwich Road and the South Canal Service Road, where pedestrians and cyclists currently use informal paths across active railroad tracks. The crossings will also allow MassDOT to establish temporary detours around a portion of the Canal Service Road that must close during construction of the new Sagamore Bridge.
Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of MassDOT’s Megaprojects Delivery Office, joined MassDOT staff and project consultants from HNTB to present the proposed crossing designs, safety features, and construction schedule. The crossings will include automated gates, flashing lights, audible warnings, improved lighting, accessible crossing surfaces, and fencing to discourage unauthorized crossings along the railroad corridor. The Mid-Cape Connector Crossing will feature a 12-foot-wide shared-use path with landscaped medians and other design elements intended to slow approaching cyclists. The Keith Field crossing will provide a connection behind the recreation area’s outfield, near the Sagamore Post Office, with a redesigned railroad crossing that reduces the number of tracks pedestrians and cyclists must cross.
MassDOT officials explained that heavy equipment needed to construct the replacement bridge will require the temporary closure of several hundred feet of the Canal Service Road. The proposed crossings will make it possible to direct pedestrians and cyclists around the construction area while preserving access to the remainder of the canal pathway. Both crossings are expected to remain as permanent public connections following construction.
Public Input Helps Shape Access Plans
During public comment, residents and regional transportation advocates emphasized that the Canal Service Road serves not only recreational users but also people who rely on it for daily transportation. Several speakers noted that Sandwich Road does not provide a comparable safe alternative for cyclists.
Cape Cod Commission Deputy Director Stephen Tupper spoke in support of the crossings, citing their importance to regional bicycle connectivity and their inclusion among the priorities identified in Bourne’s Complete Streets planning efforts.
Commissioners Sheila Lyons and Ronald Bergstrom also expressed support for the project while acknowledging the need to minimize construction-related disruptions. Both raised concerns about the safety of high-speed electric bicycles, an issue that may require additional consideration as shared-use facilities continue to accommodate different types of users.
Following the presentation and public testimony, the Commissioners unanimously determined that public necessity and convenience require construction of both crossings, allowing the project to advance through its next stages of coordination and implementation.
Sagamore Bridge Project Moves Forward
MassDOT anticipates work on the railroad crossings beginning in 2027, ahead of major bridge construction activities. The Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project is advancing through design-build procurement, with selection of a contractor expected in 2027. MassDOT also reported progress in securing federal and state funding for the replacement bridge and continuing design and funding efforts for the Bourne Bridge.
Commissioners Discuss Budget Priorities and Charter Review During Regular Meeting
Following the public hearing, the Commissioners convened their regular meeting, where they discussed priorities for the upcoming county budget cycle, including maintaining a structurally balanced budget, addressing deferred capital improvements, supporting wastewater research and freshwater protection, and strengthening regional housing coordination.
County Administrator Michael Dutton reported that departments are preparing capital requests, with particular attention to an estimated $78 million backlog in county facility and infrastructure needs. The Commissioners also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining established financial policies and preserving reserves for designated liabilities and one-time expenses, including PFAS remediation and major capital projects. A draft budget message outlining the Board’s priorities is expected to be considered at its next meeting.
The Commissioners also acknowledged the passage of Ballot Question A, which received more than 67 percent support from voters and authorizes a review of the Barnstable County Charter. County officials will coordinate the organizational steps for the newly elected Charter Commission following certification of the election results, including providing administrative, legal, and logistical support.
Next Commissioners’ Meeting
The Board of Regional Commissioners will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in Dennis, where Commissioners are scheduled to meet with the Dennis Select Board.
Watch the Replay
Residents can view a recording of the meeting at www.youtube.com/@BarnstableCountyVideo
About Barnstable County: Barnstable County provides regional services, programs, and leadership to the fifteen towns of Cape Cod. Through collaboration and innovation, the County works to address shared challenges and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors across the region. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
